Reviews

All the outstanding teachers have recently left due to the new principal and ap. It is a shame as she is a former preschool teacher and has no idea about middle school. How she got this job I am not sure.

- submitted by a parent

July 12, 2015

The new administration has run off all of the best teachers. This is a shame as my children adored so many of them and now there are only brand new inexperienced teachers and they lack experience.

- submitted by a parent

Develops honesty:
Strongly disagree
June 29, 2015

My child attended this school and I live in the community - integrity and fairness are not core values. There is a lot of materialism, favouritism, and cliquishness. Bullying is a very big problem on this campus.

- submitted by a parent

May 23, 2015

Our kids love Copper Ridge. They are exposed to enriching activities such as fine arts, music, and theater. In addition, the highly-qualified, certified teachers at Copper Ridge provide a top-notch academic experience.

- submitted by a parent

May 09, 2015

We have been at Copper Ridge now for 7 years and I can't think of attending any other school.

- submitted by a parent

March 30, 2015

We have been at the school now for three years and have had nothing but a positive experience here. I love the teachers and staff. We recently went to an art night where the kids showcase their art and the gardens they have been working on. Everything looked amazing. It was such a great community event. I'm happy for our family to be part of this school.

- submitted by a parent

September 25, 2014

Copper Ridge is not addressing the needs of my children. This school is not providing what my special needs and gifted children need to succeed. This school requires children to purchase ipads and/or cell phones for classroom use. That is not legal for a public school to do. The room mothers ask for $50-$75 per child to go toward class parties and gifts for the teachers. That is also not legal. The PTO hounds you relentlessly to "donate" $125 per student for this school which won't provide the educational programs my children need. For a school in such a prestigious area, you would think it would have better academics and resources for its students.The extra-curricular classes also get away with not having a formal curriculum. According to one teacher, "We are going to make it up as we go along." I am very disappointed in this school. I spoke with another mother recently that moved here from the East Coast. She is looking for an alternative placement for her children.

- submitted by a parent

August 03, 2014

We have 3 children at Copper Ridge. Great school. Very active PTO. Very impressed with teachers. All have many years of experience. The entire school always works hard to improve in a district that has many options for charters.

- submitted by a parent

June 22, 2014

We are so excited about starting Copper Ridge this August! We have been attending a charter school and it did not meet our expectations for our children. We have a 3rd grader and a 6th grader. We are so excited about the middle school honors program and love the teachers we have had the pleasure meeting. The Administrative team has been so supportive and always available. The parent volunteers devote so much of their time to help the school succeed. Both of our children are very excited and we couldn't be happier that they are finally excited about going! Looking forward to being a part of the CRS family.

- submitted by a parent

June 18, 2014

As a middle school student who has gone to this school since 4th grade I can say the elementary side is wonderful. I had great teachers, but I wouldn't say so for middle school. Multiple times a teachers has lost my work and put it in the grade book as a zero. They then made me try and find the work that they lost somewhere in the unorganized classroom. The "uniform" policy is a joke. Expensive brand name shirts are worn with the shortest shorts I've seen in my life. If your a middle class American don't send your child here because unless your willing to donate thousands of dollars your child will fall behind. I am glad to be going to cocopah next year, even if it is a long drive

- submitted by a community member

April 27, 2014

With all due respect to the PTO member comments previously. You are one of those parents that can spend every waking moment at the school to ensure your child has everything and gets into every available program. For the rest of us out there that aren't donating thousands of hours and dollars, this school is barely status quo. The principal only cares about her promotion and is constantly taking about getting her doctorate. Id like her to be on campus and put her energy into making this school all it can be.Too bad its the haves and have nots. This isnt the way it should be.

- submitted by a parent

September 24, 2013

This is our fourth school year at Copper Ridge. We have been very pleased since placing our boys in the PreK program. Teachers are sensitive, the administration is extremely organized and approachable. This school has a very well managed and funded PTO that provides many academic extras that the school district does not have the budget to support. There is a uniform policy that we love and support. Our children have improved academically and socially year over year. Great school!!!!

- submitted by a parent

September 23, 2013

We are EXTREMELY happy with Copper Ridge School. The new administration and faculty have been amazing. The involvement of the faculty, staff, and PTO all over the campus give such a team effort. We are very pleased with the education, safety, and neighborhood family school feel of Copper Ridge. We LOVE Copper Ridge!

- submitted by a parent

September 23, 2013

I have been at Copper Ridge for the past 7 years and I have seen quite a few changes for the better over the years. I am so happy with the administration changes and staff. They are very easily accessible and professional and courteous. The teachers are top notch and really strive to teach the highest learning standards. There are many volunteers constantly at school as well as coordinating fun events.

- submitted by a parent

September 23, 2013

Copper Ridge has always been a good school. Since Michelle Otstot became the principal last year, it is now a GREAT school! I have never seen and admin team with as much enthusiasm, dedication and love for their students. Mrs. Otstot, Mrs. Defeyter and Mr. Patzlaff (yes we have three administrators), are just terrific. Learning and safety are at an all time high. The students are well behaved and very compassionate. The PTO puts on the most fantastic events like Book Fair, Fall Carnival, Spring Arts and more. I am just thrilled that my kids can stay at this great school all the way through eighth grade.

- submitted by a parent

September 23, 2013

My kids are very happy and love their teachers at Copper Ridge! This is our fifth year at the school.

- submitted by a parent

August 21, 2013

LOVE this school! New principal is excellent & extremely dedicated to the education of every student! Teachers are exceptional, very approachable & available to parents. The PTO is amazing & there are many opportunities to be involved even if you have a full time job. Correction to a previous post....yes, you may have a reserved parking spot if you donate $1500 (NOT $10,000) to the PTO which in turn goes directly to the students. It is very clearly written on the PTO enrollment form. My girls are thriving at this school & we are extremely happy here!

- submitted by a parent

May 11, 2013

My child has been at this school for 5 years and it's rapidly declining. It is true that if you have a full time job, there's no way to attend PTO meetings or other meetings. This school is in an affluent area and it caters to parents with the most money. If you donate $10k you can have your own parking space. If you donate a lot of money you can drive through crosswalks, cut the front of the parent pick up line and hold up the line. This school encourages entitlement. My child is in the gifted program and now we find out they are cutting the program in half. We are now looking at Basis School and many other parents are leaving as well.

- submitted by a parent

May 01, 2013

PTA is a joke unless you don't have a full time job...The principal is greatly lacking in common sense and just plain getting along with others. My son has gone here for 4 years now and it's greatly declining. You can get your own parking space if you donate lots of money which also means if you go to pick up your sick child don't expect to get a close parking spot anywhere near the front door. So far we haven't had a teacher with any experience. They've all been right out of college. The classrooms are messy and disorganized. I don't see how they function. Fall festival is a joke as well. Parents with money are definitly treated differently here. Very Clickish$$$ No sense of community. Unfortunately school is a mediation settlement.

- submitted by a parent

April 30, 2013

This school does not in any way feel like a community. The children run down the halls nosiy and disorderly. Teachers are yelling for them to quiet down and behave. In the classrooms the children are disrepectful to adults and to each other. The lunch room and playground are bully central. The teachers are not available to help as they are afraid of parents. Even though the children wear uniforms the materialistic objects are there full force. I phones in kindergarten and designer everything else all the time. Not the enviroment we want our children growing up in. We will be switching schools this year.

- submitted by a parent

October 28, 2012

Overall this year has been fantastic!! My child is thriving and doing great so far. My only complaint is the pest problem..... Scorpions, fire ants and black widows have all been seen in my sons classroom and the surrounding outdoor areas.... With all the money that's in the area and there for extras that the parents donate, surely they could hire better pest control. One other issues I have is the back parking lot ... Watch your children.. Some of the parent are glued to their phones while dropping kids off and one of these days a child is going to get hit.... They either cannot read the NO CELLPHONE ZONE signs, or they don't think that are children's lives are worth anything.....

- submitted by a parent

October 28, 2012

With all the changes this year... the school has not improved. The school year will be long!

- submitted by a parent

September 27, 2012

Why punish a child with more of the same homework (worksheets) because they can finish their homework on the ride home? That's what the teacher did at this school. Schools use the phrase "differentiation in the classroom" in this school it meant, "you can't donate or you won't further my career", therefore, you do not really count. Oh and this is despite the fact that we were regular volunteers. At a restaurant fundraiser, we were in line and were ignored by the PTO for the family behind us until we called their attention to the fact. The response we got? "Oh, you people go to Copper Ridge?" You'd better believe, we do not go to Copper Ridge anymore. The hassle of driving our Honda to and from our child's new school is totally worth it. The excitement to go back to school everyday says it all. Maybe there are staff, teachers and parents who do not share this mentality, unfortunately, we never met any of them in the whole year we were there.

- submitted by a parent

September 02, 2012

Love the uniform policy! The parents are extremely interested in the well being of all the children from K through 8th. The security programs in place are impressive for a public school. Our teachers have been great over the last few years. I would recommend this school to any family that partakes in the public school system.

- submitted by a parent

August 19, 2012

Not impressed with this school so far. There is very very little communication between the school and parents. Teachers hide out in their classrooms and are not available after school. You can try to send them emails - but don't hold your breathe for a response. The school is huge and students are easily lost in the chaos. However, if you have the ability to join the PTO at the highest levels and to donate significant items to the classroom - you will probably be okay y here.

- submitted by a parent

April 17, 2012

I agree with the parents about principle and the overall actions the school takes without consulting the parents and thinking about the kids. I have to say the tearches that my kids have had so far have been great. I think the school needs a change. The change needs to happen at upper level and re look at maybe getting a new principle. A principle that cares for the kids, a person that looks approachable. I have my kid in copper ridge only cause of the teachers they are wonderful and very approachable unlike the principle.

- submitted by a parent

April 09, 2012

Copper Ridge has made an undermining decision to put up a Sprint cellular phone tower 20 ft. from the school building without notifying parents or teachers. On May 31, 2011 the World Health Organization determined cell towers a carcinogen, just like lead. Copper Ridge school officials signed the contract with Sprint on June 14, 2011 with full knowledge they would be placing a carcinogen on campus with our children.

- submitted by a parent

February 08, 2012

Great experience and learning environment. Teachers are top notch and committed to our childrens education.

- submitted by a parent

November 07, 2011

Our children have had really nice teachers. Unfortunately the grammar from some of the teachers is appalling. Letters come home to parents with grammar mistakes and I find this shocking. The principal is not warm. You can pass her by and she will not smile or say, "hello". The teacher to student ratio is terrible. The teachers are a bit overwhelmed. We pulled out of this school and have had incredible success with another school. The teacher greets parents with a warm smile and the teachers/student raio is 1 adult per 10 children. The PTA last year was a complete joke and run by a bunch of morons. I've never seen such a lack of professionals in my life. I hope for the sake of the school, the parents and children that this year has new PTA leaders. Expect a fashion parade of children and worse, the parents. Tons of moms trying to outdo each other with their plastic surgery and fake handbags.

- submitted by a parent

August 28, 2011

If you have a lot of money and are either a very well educated Doctor or another acceptable, one with money, in the schools eyes you are great. If you do not have the needed money in order to establish importance to the administration, please do not have your child attend this school. Without designer clothes, trips and handbags, your child will become a recluse. Even if you have a severe problem, email the counselor and the principle, do not expect to get an answer unless you are with designer clothes, handbags, or cars, or anything else that resembles money.

- submitted by a parent

August 06, 2010

My 3 kids went to this school because we lived near by, we pulled them out. The principal cares more about self promotion than anything else, most of the teachers are mediocre and the parents are very clicky and with a very flashy/new money show off attitude. My youngest daughter has a learning disability that was poorly tested and carelessly addressed. A couple of teachers were verbally abusive to the kids, the school put no pressure on the school bus company to pull the tapes after a severe fight was reported to them, etc. Overall, a very poorly managed school with a very high teacher tunrover and a self promoting principal. Run away from Copper Ridge, try Cheyenne which has a strong well regarded principal and a slightly better staff.

- submitted by a parent

March 07, 2010

We are finishing up the pre-k year in Mrs. Torrilhon's room. I observed many pre-k classes before settling on this one, and I feel so unbelieveably lucky that my son had such a wonderful school experience. In the morning, he runs to class. We had tried a worksheet based private school before copper ridge, and my son was miserable. Not the way I wanted to start his school experience. Even though we are out of district, we are going to continue here, I am really happy that he is loving school. After reading 'Nurture Shock' I believe that Copper Ridge is really on the cutting edge of Early Childhood education, and specifically Mrs. Torrilhon really knows her stuff. I would recommend this school to anyone.

- submitted by a parent

January 23, 2009

We went to this school for several years. We found the focus to be about everthing but the academics...too much emphasis on parties and teachers gifts. The kids are also poorly behaved and the school lacks a proper discipline program. Would skip this school if you can!

- submitted by a parent

no rating
September 05, 2007

This is one of the worst schools in the system. Change of principals, inability to recruit mature experienced teachers, lack of discipline etc. etc. This school rates 0 stars.

- submitted by a parent

May 08, 2007

I have two children at Copper Ridge (2nd and 5th). We are very happy with the school. In my experience, the school has addressed my kids' needs well, even though one of my kids excels and the other finds school a bit more challenging. The Principal and Assistant Principals are terrific. The teachers range from very good to exceptional, and there is a lot of parent involvement. After school activities could be a bit stronger. Good reading emphasis. Math skills (math facts) could be emphasized a bit more, but math curriculum is generally good. Writing could be emphasized more. Very good parent/teacher communication. Unfortunately, no foreign language is offered until middle school years. Nonetheless, I would recommend this school to anyone.

- submitted by a parent

May 01, 2006

Ratio of students to teachers higher than I would like.

- submitted by a parent

no rating
May 01, 2006

Good school - fairly new but seems to be developing with good standards.

- submitted by a parent

March 22, 2006

This appears to be the best school district in Scottdale, however, the work load and the learning expectations are still below the average schools from the mid-west and east coast. The extra-curricular activities are exceptional, but the focus does not appear to be on academic achievement.

- submitted by a parent

January 08, 2006

My understanding of a state funded school is to help all kids get an education. I would not recommend this school for anyone.

- submitted by a parent

July 09, 2005

Overall good experience, 3 more of my children to attend this school.

- submitted by a parent

June 19, 2005

My son has attending Copper Ridge from Kindergarden through 3rd grade. I have been happy with his teachers and the school in general. The only complaint I have is the communication between departments. My son was in a special reading class and due to how this was scheduled for the kids sometimes they missed things like their snack, recess or art and it felt like a punishment. They did recognize it and slightly altered it for this year and promised a solution for next.

- submitted by a parent

April 08, 2005

Our first year at this school has been successful. If your child is gifted I will say you need to be on top things to ensure he/she is getting the most out of the available resources. SUSD has many resources to offer, but you will need to track them down. The principal is a strong advocate for gifted students. Bullying is a hot topic; the school leadership needs to quickly get their hands around the issues and develop a disciplinary plan with parental accountability.

- submitted by a parent

March 31, 2005

My children have gone to school at Copper Ridge Elementary since it opened 4 years ago. I have had nothing but positive experiences. My son is in 5th grade, daughter in 2nd. The staff is wonderful from teachers to support staff. There is a true feel of community about everything they do. CRES's emphasis on 'Life Skills' goes over and above the great academics my children learn. It helps them to understand everyday life and make good life choices. Academically my children are excelling! Although tough for me to grasp at first, the use of the Everyday Math program has pushed my children to learn math in a new and more comprehensive way. Their use of the Star reading program has pushed my children well up on the reading scale. CRES welcomes parent involvement, there is never a shortage of volunteer opportunities and all of the staff are approachable at all times.

- submitted by a parent

no rating
June 04, 2004

Copper Ridge elematary has very involved parents that are always trying to make a difference for there children. It is a public school with a lot of personal touches.

- submitted by a parent

October 15, 2002

My experience is with 1st grade. Teacher had very high expectations and children seemed to rise to the challenge. Class size was larger than what I would have liked (24-25). I would have liked to see the teachers utilize parent volunteers to work with children in the classroom so that the teacher was more available to the students who were struggling. Parents were mostly used for admin type functions. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of the education, the facilities and the ""extras"" the student's received (music, art, p.e.).

- submitted by a community member

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